I am not known as a fussy eater but, before Friday, I would have drawn the line at hairy-legged crickets.

When an American-style Chinese takeaway tub containing ant wafers landed on my desk, I knew trouble was ahead.

And then my editor read the invite to Chessington World of Adventures on Friday, when intrepid reporters and zoo visitors were invited to try a few of the creepy crawly delicacies on offer to visitors.

The theme park was handing them out to children and squeamish parents as part of a shop-tucker trial and, depending on the feedback, the critters will go on sale in the new Wild Asia land when it opens next month.

Breaking out into a slight sweat, I reached in to grab a few boxes of insects to try with nine-year-old Jasmine Harvey.

We tried chocolate ant wafers, cheese grubs, and salt and vinegar crickets, but there were also chocolate-coated larvae which, strangely, had `run out due to popular demand.

The ants in white chocolate went in first and, luckily, you could not taste much. The odd gritty crunch here and there reminded you what you were eating.

Next up were the grubs which exposed our jungle-bound celebrities as a bit wimpy - Jasmine said they tasted like Wotsits.

She said: “They’re really nice. Can I have some more?” And, with shame, I joined her in eating seconds.

Last up were the crickets, which did not go down too well and left my bush-tucker pal heaving into a bush and spitting her mouthful out.

Jack Sales, 11, was slightly more enthused and said: “They taste a bit like a Twiglet but even crunchier. Maybe we could have them instead of crisps. My friends think I’m an absolute sicko for trying them.”

Chessington ranger Nicola Cornish, who was handing out the “treats”, said: “It’s the parents that were the squeamish ones. They were trying them but pushing the kids forward to have a go first.”

The treats were so popular, they had to re-stock during the morning. However, some animal rights campaigners have criticised the park for the stunt.

PR manager Maria Hamilton said: “This is just a bit of fun but they actually eat these is Asia so it is also educational. It is all ethically sourced. We all eat farmed animals, and this is no different.”

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